A Bexley man has been charged with damaging ULEZ cameras after a police operation was launched to track down vandals.

The Met launched an investigation after 96 allegations of criminal damage were passed to the force by Transport for London.

A 42-year-old man from Sidcup was charged with criminal damage, malicious communications and handling stolen goods, according to the Evening Standard.

He was also charged with aiding or abetting the destruction of, or damage to, property valued more than £5,000.

Det Supt Daniel Smith, whose officers are leading the investigation, said: “We have been proactively targeting those we suspect of causing or seeking to cause damage.

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation and this includes gathering CCTV, speaking to potential witnesses and following up active leads.

“We are also working with TfL to prevent further offences in the future.”

Nicolls appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court yesterday and was bailed to appear at a later date.

ULEZ, which is an abbreviation for Ultra-Low Emission Zone, is designed to cut emissions in London to improve air quality and public health.

But it has been criticised by a number of politicians in Kent, from council leaders to MPs and the Kent crime commissioner Matthew Scott.

And the plan to expand it has caused a stir among residents on both sides of the London-Kent border, with protestors last month taking to the streets of Orpington.

The charge currently covers the majority of London, but in August it will expand to all 33 boroughs including Bexley and Bromley on the Kent border, and even parts of Dartford.

It would mean drivers of older, more polluting vehicles would have to fork out £12.50 a day to drive in the zone.